So you're done with university life and thinking about the job search.
Or maybe you've already been on the hunt, and feeling like you are not making any progress.
You may have noticed that being out of the campus environment can be challenging.
It's hard to get momentum for your job search.
It may feel a bit overwhelming.
Take a look at the ideas below and see how you can sharpen your approach.
1.
You don't have a plan.
Think of your job search as a project you will manage.
It's up to you to design, architect, and execute on that search much as you would manage a major project.
Kind of like the syllabus you got at the beginning of each term.
What are the next 10 - 12 weeks going to look like for your job search.
Having a good plan will help you stay on track and see the progress you're making on a day-to-day basis.
Ideas for you:

• Create a plan for your job search that will keep you on track day-to-day.
  Even a simple Excel spreadsheet or Word table will do.
  
• Identify simple steps you can take each day to put on your action list.
  
• Target actions for each week, track contacts, and make the progress to your goals visual.
  

2.
You don't have the right marketing tools.
You've got to have the right marketing tools if you're going to market yourself.
When you so, you'll feel good about how they represent you.
This will give you more confidence in every aspect of your search.
What you can do:

• Get a good resume that includes a clear statement about your value proposition, your experience and the keywords employers are looking for.
  
• Coordinate your LinkedIn profile, cover letter templates, business cards, elevator speech, social media persona and other tools (online or off-line) to have consistent messaging.
  Think "one voice.
  "
• Bring your point of view into comments you make in online groups or at networking events and other conversations.
  

3.
You're not organized.
Everything feels harder if I'm not organized.
Maybe the same is true for you.
When you're job searching you'll meet a lot of people and have many conversations.
You'll track applications you've submitted, go to networking events and note important dates on your calendar.
To keep all of this straight get organized.
If you don't, you risk missing an opportunity because you forgot to follow-up or you couldn't find that important number when you needed it.
Action you can take:

• If you do nothing else, get a notebook, and write everything down in it.
  Create a quick summary of every conversation, keep track of every contact, title, contact info and important date.
  
• As mentioned above, even just getting all your data on an Excel spreadsheet can get you organized quickly.
  
• Create a filing system, on-line or off, to keep your marketing materials, leads you are following, applications submitted, followup due dates, network contacts, and other information in a place where you can easily access it.
  

4.
You have no network.
Even as you start your career, you probably know a lot more people than you are giving yourself credit for.
Many young adults I meet underestimate the number of people with whom they are already connected! Often they are reluctant to reach out to the ones they DO know.
A recent study showed that 60% of jobs are placed through networked referrals.
Building your network can help you get referred.
Build your network:

• Get your LinkedIn profile built.
  Build other online profiles as well (BranchOut, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, etc...
  )
• Connect with everyone you know, and then some.
  This is where you invite your parents, parents of your friends, people from church, university professors, neighbors, your old babysitter.
  Anyone.
  I'd be shocked if you had less than 75 people without much effort.
  
• Ask people you know if there is anyone else THEY know, that they would suggest you meet or connect with.
  Continue expanding your network as you build momentum.
  

5.
You're trying to do it alone.
Are you sitting alone day after day, working on your job search but getting distracted by all kinds of things? You set out to make five phone calls or connect with three alumni, and you end up wading through Facebook, or gaming.
Being isolated in your job search can make it difficult to get traction, and hard to get motivated.
Instead, find a tribe.
Don't go solo:

• Join a job search networking group where everyone works on their plans together and meets regularly to report results.
  Many churches, colleges and job search resource groups host job search groups.
  Young professional groups may also have them.
  Also check Craigslist, Meetup, LinkedIn and other sites to find groups.
  
• If you can't find a group, start one!
• If you want professional help, you can hire a coach or consultant to help you design and implement a plan and help you navigate the search.
  Consultants may also provide accountability groups with a group of clients.
  

Launching your career after academics is a monumental task.
For most, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Hopefully the ideas above will help you overcome the overwhelm.
Do me a favor and leave a comment below about the one thing you'll be doing to help get your job search on track!